Council Declares Vacancy to Replace Retiring Officer

Common Council voted 6-0 to declare a police vacancy in light of Lt. Dennis Van Natta's early retirement.

Van Natta, who has 25 years on the force, will end his tenure with the Summit Police Department on Dec. 10.

"We certainly wish him well," said Councilman and chair of the Safety Committee Michael Vernotico

With the police force already down to 45 officers due to an officer out with an injury, Van Natta's retirement would bring the police complement down to 44, Vernotico said. Being able to fill Van Natta's vacancy keep the squad at 45 patrol officers to begin 2011.

The department has been lobbying for the replacement of two other vacancies since the 2010 municipal operating budget hearings this winter. However, common council has repeatedly voted not to fill those two vacancies.

Police staffing has also caused tension among members of common council and even between Mayor Jordan Glatt and council members. Police Chief Robert Lucid also said at a recent council meeting that due to the high volume of calls and current staffing levels, some shifts are left to "stack" or "queue" calls, citing a 21-minute response time recently to a motor vehicle accident.